President Abbas hospitalized for lung infection, condition said to be improving

May 22, 2018 1:07 P.M. (Updated: May 23, 2018 1:50 P.M.)

Abbas in the Istishari hospital in Ramallah on Monday, May 21, 2018 (Thaer Ghanaim).

RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has reportedly been hospitalized for a lung infection, though his condition is said to be improving, sources told Ma’an.

Following reports on Monday of his worsening health condition, Fatah Central Committee Member Jibril al-Rjoub said in an interview with the Palestine TV channel later that evening that Abbas was suffering from an infection in his right lung.

Al-Rjoub, who reportedly visited Abbas in the Istishari Hospital in the central occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, said that medical tests showed the president’s health was improving.

Sources added that Abbas would remain in the hospital for two more days.

Monday marked the third hospital visit for the Palestinian president in one week. According to reports, he had been hospitalized on Tuesday for an ear infection and Saturday for unspecified tests.

Abbas’ official photographer Thaer Ghanaim published pictures on Monday of the president walking around the Istishari hospital and reading a newspaper, surrounded by other officials.

A photo of President Abbas in the Istishari hospital on Monday (Thaer Ghanaim)

Abbas was elected to a four-year term in 2005, but due to the absence of Palestinian elections, has remained in power since.

The 82-year-old President has suffered from several health complications over the years, including a bout with prostate cancer a decade ago, and most recently, an emergency heart procedure two years ago.

Despite growing concerns over his health condition, Abbas has reportedly refused to designate a successor.